Management of asthma in children : a comparison between day and residential asthma camps

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore whether residential asthma camps are better than day camps for the management of asthma in children. Therefore the research question formulated to achieve this purpose was: 'Are residential asthma camps better than day camps for the management of asthma in children?' The population targeted were children suffering from asthma both males and females between the ages of seven and fifteen. The intervention was to participate in an either asthma residential camp or an asthma day camp. This work attempted to compare the benefits between residential asthma camps and asthma day camps. The outcome has shown that both types of camps have good effect on the management of asthma on the children. Moreover, the children develop socially and acquired new skills as well. After a thorough search of the literature only six articles were eligible as they matched the inclusion criteria. The CASP tools were used to critically appraise each study. It was evident from all the studies that knowledge about asthma in children increased, the technique for metre dose inhalers improved, asthma responsibility improved and children interacted more. Furthermore, the parents' benefited as well from these camps as they felt safe knowing that their child is not the only one suffering from asthma and their communication with their children improved. Since locally no asthma camps have never been organised, it is recommended that asthma camps will be organised based on the fact that children had better management of their asthma following attendance of such camps be it a residential camp or day camp.